Epidemiology of Venous Thromboembolism: Analyses and Publications From the DVT FREE Database

BACKGROUND:

The Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Research Group has explored and studied the epidemiology of DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE) for more than 2 decades. The earliest analyses were done with the database from the Framingham Heart Study. Subsequent analyses were undertaken using the Nurses' Health Study.

More than 5 years ago the DVT FREE Registry was conceived. The concept was to accrue broad representation of patients with ultrasound-confirmed DVT throughout the US.

The Principal Investigator began initial work on this project by developing the case report form (CRF) with Co-Investigators. After the CRF was piloted and finalized, centers were recruited for participation. The enthusiasm in response to DVT FREE was overwhelming. The initial investigators meetings were conducted by videoconference shortly after September 11, 2001. Accrual of patients occurred much more rapidly than projected. Within 6 months, 5,451 patients were enrolled with ultrasound-confirmed DVT at 183 participating institutions.

Dr. Samuel Z. Goldhaber chaired the Publications Committee. The Master Paper was published in January 2004. 3 manuscripts on subgroups and 3 manuscripts on special populations were subsequently published under Dr. Goldhaber's supervision. The subgroup papers studied upper extremity DVT, the relationship between DVT and symptomatic DVT and PE, and predictors of massive DVT. The special populations papers studied gender differences in receiving prophylaxis, utilization of vena cava filters, and pregnancy.